The LUNAR Festival of Lights returns to Sofia from May 8 to 11, 2025, once again transforming the city’s nighttime skyline into a magical, glowing canvas. Now firmly established as one of Sofia’s most beloved cultural events, LUNAR continues to evolve, offering visitors fresh artistic experiences each year.
As darkness falls, Sofia comes alive as a giant open-air gallery, where international artists tell vivid stories through light. Prepare to discover stunning installations and mesmerizing video projections that will bathe the city in color and creativity.
Free and Open to All
In 2025 again all installations are completely free to visit, and everyone is welcome. The lights will be switched on between 9:00 PM and 12:00 AM, across four evenings. Lunar will be open to public from Thursday to Sunday, May 8–11, 2025.
To ensure a pleasant experience, pedestrian zones will be set up by Sofia Municipality in key areas where light projections take place. You are encouraged to use public transportation or taxis, and if traveling by car, it’s best to park in one of the designated lots nearby.
2025 Festival Route: A 3-Kilometer Walk Through Light
This year’s festival stretches across a 3-kilometer route, featuring multiple locations filled with creativity and immersive experiences. Here are some of the most exciting highlights:
Testament (National Gallery “Square 500”), Video Mapping Show
On the grand façade of the National Gallery “Square 500”, seven finalists from the International Video Mapping Competition will showcase works on the theme “Testament.” Their performances explore how inherited cultural symbols and motifs evolve in modern times. These light stories prove that true heritage has the power to inspire fresh creativity, connecting generations through shared values and evolving narratives.
A World at Risk and Hope for the Future (Prince’s Garden aka Knyazheska Gradina), Immersive Experience
What is the world today, and what might it be tomorrow? This 360-degree immersive experience, created with input from researchers at the Faculty of Economics at Sofia University, explores that very question. Through scientific insight and dramatic visual storytelling, visitors are transported to the planet’s most climate-vulnerable regions. Available in Bulgarian and English, the show repeats every 10 minutes, offering a deeply moving reflection on our global challenges and the hope that shines ahead.
Values (National Library “St. St. Cyril and Methodius”), Video Mapping Show
To mark Europe Day, the grand façade of the National Library will become the canvas for a striking 3D data sculpture. This visual spectacle explores the core principles of the European Union, reimagined through light and motion to reflect their character and deeper meaning.
Cosmic Echo (Fountain in the Underpass of the National Palace of Culture) Video Mapping & Laser Show
This installation reawakens the mosaic of the iconic “Cosmos” fountain with a pulsating laser and video show. Through a seamless blend of art and technology, the fountain becomes a living galaxy, its light pulses echoing the rhythm of the Universe itself.
More Magic Awaits
These are just a few of the many installations and visual experiences waiting to be discovered at LUNAR 2025. With dozens of artworks by leading light artists, the festival promises unforgettable evenings filled with beauty, imagination, and inspiration.
To plan your visit, explore the Interactive Map on the official LUNAR website and get ready to immerse yourself in the luminous world of LUNAR Festival of Lights in Sofia: https://lunarlights.eu
You can also have a look at the past events and the team of artists behind the success of Lunar: LUNAR Festival of Lights: Illuminating Sofia Every Spring